(Image via)
Jonah Hill is skinny.
Perhaps you've heard? He's in a new movie called
Moneyball and he's been making the promotional rounds and we're here to tell you that the rumors are true: he's super-slimmed down.
You see, it just so happens that your
humble My Damn Channel blogger went to a professional baseball game last week and saw him in person when he threw out the first pitch:
(Image via @Athletics)
It is a very different look from his
Wainy Days role:
But just like we told our mom when she asked, "Is that the same guy from your Wainy Days show? Is he a good friend of yours or something? Should you go down to the field and say 'hi' to him?" We'll tell you the truth:
"Yes it's the same guy."
"No, we're not good friends."
"NO, MOM, WE'RE NOT GOING DOWN TO THE FIELD TO SAY 'HI.'"
But that last part was mostly just because security wouldn't let us.
My Damn Channel is 3 years old today.
Punk was still a baby when this photo was taken. Nixon is looming in the background. He's pointing the finger!
The pic is taken during a time called "college radio" before consultants sucked freedom out of the souls of rock radio madmen and mystical women who turned us onto music completely capable of changing and defining our lives.
I first met Harry Shearer that year. I chased rock dreams through radio, television and film - and called Harry in late 2006, with the idea to start a then-unnamed business which became My Damn Channel. I called Don Was. I called David Wain.
We launched My Damn Channel exactly 3 years ago, on July 31, 2007.
We give artists we love, trust and respect all the tools they need to skip over stone walls of multi-national media empires and create video delivered directly to you.
We've never been stupid enough to think www.MyDamnChannel.com would be the most visited online destination in the world. But we built a home base big and bad enough for every creator to have their own channel and we built a massive distribution network to move video onto every digital platform where we can make a solid business deal to support the work. The good shit ain't free.
We built a business driven by advertising, licensing and the certainty that we can bring you talent and content in special events later this year - worthy of a buck or two from you to support the art. Crazy, right?
Artists like Illeana Douglas prove that companies like IKEA can connect in a whole new way with millions of people watching millions of videos every hour. Illeana birthed a baby called "Easy to Assemble," which Ad Age dubbed "the most-watched sponsored web show."
We survived the world's worst economy and found our way to success because YOU watch and share our videos. THANK YOU.
We have artists that trust us to respect their art. THANK YOU.
We have sponsors and business partners who believe that we can deliver the good shit and guarantee millions of eyes on it all. THANK YOU.
We have backers who put their faith and coin into a vision for a new show business as powerful today as television was in the 50's. YOU GET IT! THANK YOU!
We have a man named Warren Chao, our Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, who knew how to stop us from avoiding most of the mistakes baby companies make to screw it all up. Warren: I've never known a single human being as smart, dedicated and effective inside a company as you. THANK YOU.
Biggest thanks to our families for not killing us when the hill seemed to high to climb!
RESPECT and THANKS to every one of you who have spent a day inside our small, evolving staff of rebels and business partners.
(Keep an eye out for your party invite!)
We start year four today. Documented in "the world's longest press release" here - with all our new channels for your immediate inspection.
One more major announcement is coming out in days to prove that you'll still have My Damn Channel to kick around for years to come.
F Nixon.
Posted in
92YTribeca,
David Wain,
Press,
Wainy Days with tags
David Wain,
Wainy Days,
My Damn Channel,
Webby Awards,
92YTribeca,
Role Models,
Jonathan Stern,
Rob Barnett,
The State,
Stella on 4/23/2009 4:05:00 AM by Rob Barnett
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MY DAMN CHANNEL LAUNCHES SEASON FOUR OF “WAINY DAYS,”
2009 webby award official honoree and 2008 WEBBY AWARD WINNER OF “BEST COMEDY SERIES”
DAVID WAIN TO STAGE FIRST-EVER LIVE PERFORMANCE OF “WAINY DAYS” AND SNEAK PEEK OF UPCOMING EPISODE AT 92YTRIBECA ON THURSDAY, MAY 7TH
NEW YORK, April 23, 2009 - My Damn Channel (www.MyDamnChannel.com), the entertainment studio and new media platform, today announced that one of its most popular original web series, “Wainy Days” (www.MyDamnChannel.com/WainyDays), is returning for a fourth season on Thursday, May 7th.
“Wainy Days” is the brainchild of its creator, writer and director, David Wain (writer and director of last year’s hit film “Role Models” starring Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Jane Lynch, Elizabeth Banks and Christopher Mintz-Plasse). The comedy series, developed and produced exclusively for My Damn Channel, follows the romantic misadventures of Wain and has featured past celebrity guest appearances by Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill, Elizabeth Banks, Lee Majors, A.D. Miles, Rob Corddry, Jason Sudeikis, Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, Ed Helms, Joe Lo Truglio, Janeane Garofalo and Alicia Witt. A recap from David Wain of the past 3 seasons of “Wainy Days” and a tease of the new episodes can be viewed at www.MyDamnChannel.com/WainyDays.
In the new season of “Wainy Days,” the cast of name co-stars from film and television includes Amanda Peet, Lake Bell, Rosemarie DeWitt (Rachel Getting Married, Mad Men), Michelle Federer (Wicked), and Frederick Weller (In Plain Sight). In the first episode of the season, David meets a sexy woman, Jill (played by Amanda Peet), who appreciates him for all that he isn’t.
On May 7, 2009 at 9:00PM, at 92YTribeca (located at 200 Hudson Street in New York) My Damn Channel will be presenting “Wainy Days LIVE,” a Wainy-themed comedy/variety evening. The event will hosted by David Wain and will feature live musical performances from past and upcoming episodes. Michelle Federer, Amy Miles and Ben Shenkman will be on-hand to help Wain with this feat as well as the recurring cast of the series (Zandy Hartig, A.D. Miles and Matt Ballard). There will also be a showing of the premiere episode as well as a sneak peek of an upcoming episode. (Tickets are $15 advance/$18 door and can be purchased at:
http://www.92ytribeca.com/ or by calling 212,415.5500.
Wainy Days has been viewed over 9 millions times on My Damn Channel and throughout its syndication network, was just named an official honoree for "Best Comedy Series" for the 2009 Webby Awards, was the winner of the 2008 Webby Awards' "Best Comedy Series" as well as the 2009 Streamy Awards' "Best Guest Appearance" for Paul Rudd, and has been called "an unmissable Web series by the Associated Press. Wainy Days is produced by Jonathan Stern.
"I love that the world keeps wanting to follow my pathetic (albeit fictional) quest to meet women,” says Wain. “As long as the audience demands it, I will continue to hire actresses to make out with me and put it on the web."
“If My Damn Channel is a new world version of an old NBC, then David Wain would definitely be our ‘Seinfeld,’” says Rob Barnett, Founder/CEO. “David continues to earn all the accolades that ‘Wainy Days’ has won by topping himself every season. His series turns sexual angst into uniquely twisted comedy.”
About David Wain
David Wain is a director, writer, actor, producer and comedian. He co-wrote and directed the recent major motion picture "Role Models" starring Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Jane Lynch, Elizabeth Banks and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, now on DVD. As a founding member of the comedy troupe, "The State," he co-starred in an MTV series in the 1990's (coming to DVD in July). Wain's web hit, live show and Comedy Central series, "Stella," is an ongoing collaboration with his longtime collaborators Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter. Wain also co-wrote and directed comic cult classic features "Wet Hot American Summer" and "The Ten." For additional information on David Wain, visit www.davidwain.com.
About My Damn Channel
My Damn Channel is an entertainment studio and new media platform created to empower comedians, musicians and filmmakers to co-produce, distribute and monetize original, episodic video. Artists create content for the My Damn Channel website and for syndication on the most heavily-trafficked online communities and social networks. The network has aired some of the most successful professionally-produced comedy series on the web, including You Suck at Photoshop, Wainy Days, Horrible People, and videos by Harry Shearer. My Damn Channel has been selected for 4 official honoree awards and nominated for one 2009 Webby Award, won 7 accolades from the 2008 Webby Awards, garnered worldwide media coverage, secured major national advertisers, earned 50,000 subscribers on YouTube, racked up a bazillion views on My Damn Channel and in syndication and blah, blah, blah…Are you still reading? Stop now and start exploring: www.MyDamnChannel.com.
About 92YTribeca:
92YTribeca is the 92nd Street Y’s new downtown arts and culture venue in New York City . Opened in October 2008, 92YTribeca presents music, comedy, film, theater, talks, classes, Jewish community and holiday programs, and family events; the venue also houses an art gallery, lounge, bar, and cafe. Among the talented performers who have graced its stage are Zach Galifianakis, Will Arnett, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Adam Yauch, Dustin Hoffman, Janeane Garofalo, Chairlift, Charlie Louvin, Q-Tip and Questlove. Time Out New York named it the Best New Comedy Venue in 2008, and New York Magazine ranked it as “Highbrow and Brilliant” in their Approval Matrix. For more information, visit www.92YTribeca.org.
TO REQUEST REVIEW COPIES, INTERVIEWS WITH DAVID WAIN, TICKETS TO THE MAY 7TH 92YTRIBECA EVENT, INTERVIEWS WITH THE CEO OF MY DAMN CHANNEL, PHOTOS OR VIDEO CLIPS FROM THE SERIES OR FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Marnie Black
(917) 828-7308
marnieblack@yahoo.com
# # #
Posted in
My Damn Channel,
New Series on 7/31/2008 3:44:05 AM by Rob Barnett
MY DAMN CHANNEL CELEBRATES ITSELF
First Birthday Stats and ‘Terrible Two’ Plans Revealed
NEW YORK, July 31, 2008 - My Damn Channel (www.MyDamnChannel.com), the entertainment studio and new media platform, today celebrates its first birthday by revealing year one statistics on traffic and revenue, and announcing new community features and a full development slate.
My Damn Channel has built a brand that empowers professional filmmakers, actors, comedians, musicians, and athletes to co-produce, mass distribute and monetize original, short-form video.
My Damn Channel has produced over 325 original videos viewed over 29 million times in the past year. The company created a studio, a destination site, syndication network, and branded entertainment exchange to match advertisers with top talent who deliver high-quality, episodic content.
Today, the channel celebrates itself and the first 9 channels co-created with Harry Shearer, David Wain, Big Fat Brain, Don Was, A.D. Miles, Andy Milonakis, Grace Helbig, Steve Kerper, and Coolio.
Watch our Birthday Meltdown
Watch 07-08-Oh-No
Twenty-two original series have featured over 120 professional artists including Ozzy Osbourne, Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill, Rob Corddry, Janeane Garofalo, Kristen Schaal, and Elizabeth Banks.
My Damn Channel currently reaches over one million unique viewers monthly. Major brands including Lincoln, Universal Pictures, Lionsgate, Southern Comfort, Puma, and HBO have signed on. Revenue is pacing to exceed $1 million by year’s end.
A low-cost model eliminates multi-layered management tiers found in traditional media and puts artists in direct contact with their fans. My Damn Channel founder and CEO Rob Barnett said, “Our team and our talent are inspired by cynics who say you can’t build a brand and create the traffic and revenue needed to succeed with original video. Our birthday blood sugar rush is strong enough to keep us laughing and beating projections in year two.”
A new syndication deal has just been signed with a major portal and will be announced and launched in August. New community features on the destination site include video alerts via email for premieres and featured clips; customizable profiles; friending; and favorites.
The development slate of new My Damn Channel programming includes:
• “Pilot Channel” (working title) – content creators get full access to the company’s branding, technology, community, syndication, promotion, and revenue. Advertisers bid to sponsor new series through a branded entertainment exchange that guarantees placement and distribution throughout our network.
• “Lapdance with Kurt Loder: Saving The World One Interview at a Time” – Author, journalist, MTV anchor, movie writer and former Rolling Stone senior editor Kurt Loder interviews filmmakers, musicians and anyone else who’s around, anywhere in the world, via iChat. The first episode with Harry Shearer premieres in August.
• New Big Fat Brain series – the creators of “You Suck at Photoshop” will “tweak the geeks” once again.
• “Face Time presented by Puma” – athletes and musicians interview each other to find out where they get their inspiration. Three 6 Mafia and Terrell Owens star in the channel’s first sports series.
• “My Damn Channel Music Nights presented by SoCo” – Grace Helbig, host of the channel’s “Daily Grace” hits the highway this summer with Southern Comfort for 12 weeks of programming starring fans and artists including Common, The Black Keys, and The Roots, filming in NY, CA, AZ, and WI.
• Harry Shearer – the Sultan of political satire has just released a new album, “Songs of the Bushmen.” New videos from the album include “Turd Blossom Special” (Shearer as Karl Rove) and “Gym Buds” (Judith Owen as Condeleeza Rice). Shearer continues to produce “Found Objects,” featuring news anchors and newsmakers in unscripted moments captured on film.
• Don Was – the creator and host of My Damn Channel’s Wasmopolitan Cavalcade of Recorded Music is producing a second season of all new music. Don and his Cavalcade just filmed over 55 musicians live in Detroit at the “Concert of Colors” diversity festival.
About My Damn Channel
My Damn Channel is an entertainment studio and new media platform created to empower professional filmmakers, actors, comedians, musicians and athletes to co-produce, distribute and monetize original, episodic video. Artists create programming for the My Damn Channel site and for syndication on today's most heavily-trafficked online communities and social networks. My Damn Channel delivers creative control, funding, distribution, and revenue to co-conspirators including Big Fat Brain, Coolio, Grace Helbig, Steve Kerper, A.D. Miles, Andy Milonakis, Harry Shearer, David Wain and Don Was. The company is supported by an advertising revenue model, and by licensing the studio's entire portfolio of content across all forms of digital distribution.
Media Contact:
Maria Diokno
866.424.8864
Maria@MyDamnChannel.com
If you experience a lack of inspiration, writer's block, anxiety about the boss, wars, lies, lost freedom, corruption, rejection, repression, fear and loathing...then write yourself a prescription and take it to the closest movie theatre showing "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson," the new film directed by Oscar winner Alex Gibney. Here's the trailer.
Gibney puts accuracy above glory in his retelling of the life of the man once able to conjure up enough powerful wordplay to push millions to reconsider a sense of ourselves, our government, and our freedom.
Here's Thompson documenting the last great wave of freedom - from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream:
"Strange memories on this nervous night in Las Vegas. Five years later? Six? It seems like a lifetime, or at least a Main Era — the kind of peak that never comes again. San Francisco in the middle sixties was a very special time and place to be a part of. Maybe it meant something. Maybe not, in the long run . . . but no explanation, no mix of words or music or memories can touch that sense of knowing that you were there and alive in that corner of time and the world. Whatever it meant. . . .
History is hard to know, because of all the hired bullshit, but even without being sure of “history” it seems entirely reasonable to think that every now and then the energy of a whole generation comes to a head in a long fine flash, for reasons that nobody really understands at the time — and which never explain, in retrospect, what actually happened.
My central memory of that time seems to hang on one or five or maybe forty nights — or very early mornings — when I left the Fillmore half-crazy and, instead of going home, aimed the big 650 Lightning across the Bay Bridge at a hundred miles an hour wearing L. L. Bean shorts and a Butte sheepherder's jacket . . . booming through the Treasure Island tunnel at the lights of Oakland and Berkeley and Richmond, not quite sure which turn-off to take when I got to the other end (always stalling at the toll-gate, too twisted to find neutral while I fumbled for change) . . . but being absolutely certain that no matter which way I went I would come to a place where people were just as high and wild as I was: No doubt at all about that. . . .
There was madness in any direction, at any hour. If not across the Bay, then up the Golden Gate or down 101 to Los Altos or La Honda. . . . You could strike sparks anywhere. There was a fantastic universal sense that whatever we were doing was right, that we were winning. . . .
And that, I think, was the handle—that sense of inevitable victory over the forces of Old and Evil. Not in any mean or military sense; we didn’t need that. Our energy would simply prevail. There was no point in fighting — on our side or theirs. We had all the momentum; we were riding the crest of a high and beautiful wave. . . .
So now, less than five years later, you can go up on a steep hill in Las Vegas and look West, and with the right kind of eyes you can almost see the high-water mark — that place where the wave finally broke and rolled back."
Posted in
Big Fat Brain,
Daily Grace,
Press,
Snatchbuckler,
Wainy Days,
You Suck at Photoshop with tags
Donnie Hoyle,
You Suck at Photoshop,
Snatchbuckler,
David Wain,
Wainy Days,
Daily Grace,
Grace Helbig,
Lee Majors,
Saffron Burrows on 6/9/2008 2:41:53 AM by Rob Barnett
In a world of too much stupid, the best thing you can usually do in my job is give in to the WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
My Damn Channel makes three major announcements today.
BRING BACK DONNIE!
There's been virtual chaos since the disappearance of Donnie Hoyle - master mockutorian - king of YOU SUCK AT PHOTOSHOP. Winner of 3 Webby Awards tonight & creator/maker/magician of 9 MILLION VIEWS.
After months of searching, Donnie Hoyle has been found...inside the body...of a cat.
Donnie?
Keep watching, SNATCHBUCKER's SECOND CHANCE.
The truth is in there and will be further revealed.
YOU SUCK AT PHOTOSHOP shall return!
MAKE IT WAIN!
David Wain picks up the WEBBY AWARD tonight for Best Comedy Series for WAINY DAYS. We launched My Damn Channel with this awesome auteur and David's grabbed your eyeballs 5 MILLION TIMES. We're lucky bastards to announce the premiere of Season 3 of WAINY DAYS starting one week from NOW: Monday, 6/16.
David Wain, Saffron Burrows ("Boston Legal," "The Bank Job") in Wainy Days on My Damn Channel.
David Wain, Lee Majors ("The Six Million Dollar Man") in Wainy Days on My Damn Channel.
SAY GRACE!
Last & never least....we're proud to announce a new fulltime gig for Grace Helbig! You met her in "Bedtime Stories" - you created a mega community of fans in "Daily Grace."
Grace's morning vlogs have been seen hundreds of thousands of times. This summer, Grace escapes Gracie Mansion. My Damn Channel goes on the streets, in the clubs, and on tour. More o dat later.
Here's all the news o' the day with jagoonda thanks from making life great & simple by telling us what to do!
rob
FOR RELEASE MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2008 – 7a ET
MY DAMN CHANNEL GIVES IN TO IRRATIONAL FANS
Donnie Hoyle Returns With “You Suck at Photoshop”
Plus Season 3 of “Wainy Days” and a New Daily Show
NEW YORK, June 9, 2008 - My Damn Channel (www.MyDamnChannel.com), the entertainment studio and new media platform, today announced the return of two of the most popular, original series on the web.
Tonight, the Webby Awards will honor My Damn Channel seven times with accolades including Best Comedy series for “Wainy Days,” plus Best How-To series and People’s Voice wins for “You Suck at Photoshop.”
“You Suck at Photoshop” is produced by the creative duo Big Fat Brain. The series has been viewed over 9 million times. Donnie Hoyle, the mysterious lead character for these “mockutorials” vanished after episode 10.
Deluged by fan requests for Hoyle’s return, My Damn Channel successfully negotiated a follow-up season with the emotionally unstable screencaster. The series will reboot with all new episodes Friday, June 27.
David Wain is the creator, writer and director of “Wainy Days.” This hit web series follows one man’s absurd quest for love and sex in the big city. The first 2 seasons have been viewed over 5 million times. Guest stars have included Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill, Elizabeth Banks, Rob Corddry, Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter.
Wain is a founding member of the comedy troupes The State and Stella. He is a successful film director whose credits include “Wet Hot American Summer” and “The Ten.” Wain is currently filming a new comedy starring Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks and Christopher Mintz-Plasse.
The third season of “Wainy Days” premieres Monday, June 16th, with a long list of guest stars from top Hollywood films and hit television series including Elizabeth Banks, Lee Majors (“The Six Million Dollar Man”), Janeane Garofalo, Jeffrey Ross, Ed Helms, Alicia Witt, Saffron Burrows, Elizabeth Reaser, A.D. Miles, Mather Zickel, Zandy Hartig, Lucy Punch, Matt Ballard, Christine Lakin, Xander Berkeley, Sarah Clarke, Jorma Taccone and Joe Lo Truglio. “Wainy Days” is produced by Jonathan Stern.
Finally, My Damn Channel announces a new, daily show. Grace Helbig is the star of “Daily Grace,” premiering weekday mornings. Grace hosts a daily, freeform vlog delivering unfiltered commentary on new video premieres, featured clips and life behind the scenes at My Damn Channel. “Daily Grace” features two-way communication with the website’s growing community of music and comedy fans. Grace is a writer, improv artist, actress and comedian. She was previously featured on My Damn Channel’s “Bedtime Stories.”
Founder and CEO of My Damn Channel, Rob Barnett says, “In ten months, we’ve captured over 24 million views for our original videos. We’ll never be able to see the beach this summer now that advertisers are signing up to be associated with our quality content. Later this month, we’ll announce a major, mid-six figure deal for branded entertainment. Better than a sun tan.”
About My Damn Channel
My Damn Channel is an entertainment studio and new media platform created to empower filmmakers, actors, comedians and musicians to co-produce, distribute and monetize original, episodic video. Artists create programming for the My Damn Channel site and for syndication on today's most heavily-trafficked online communities and social networks. My Damn Channel delivers creative control, funding, distribution, and revenue sharing. Co-conspirators include Big Fat Brain, Coolio, Grace Helbig, Steve Kerper, A.D. Miles, Andy Milonakis, Harry Shearer, David Wain and Don Was. The company is supported by an advertising revenue model, and by licensing the studio's entire portfolio of content across all forms of digital distribution.
Media Contact:
Maria Diokno
866.424.8864
Maria@MyDamnChannel.com
# # #
Posted in
My Damn Channel,
Wainy Days on 11/12/2007 1:28:00 PM by Rob Barnett
We should be out on the picket lines handing out Krispy Kremes, but we're at work honoring creative veterans of show business battles by building a new stage for their next works.
My Damn Channel is built to last longer than just another sugar rush. After years of leading insurgencies on missions up steep hills in Old Media, U.S.A., we commissioned a new band of sisters and brothers to start a war we knew we could win.
There's a strict dress code for management: no suits. We swore a sacred oath to insure total artistic freedom - at all costs - with all treasure split equally with soldiers in the field.
3 simple promises to every new media web warrior on "My Damn Channel":
- No "Notes"
- No Hidden Costs
- 50/50 splits
It took about ten minutes to put these war plans on the table and ask David Wain to join this year's army. It took David about ten seconds to say "YES."
'Wainy Days' is our most successful episodic web series. In our first 100 days, David's comedies have been seen one million times and today marks the premiere of Season 2.
Old media management can be secretly baffled when they stumble upon a hit. But they quickly race to take credit (and profit) away from every rare smash. Scores of imitators crop up instantly every time there's a hit to try and recapture lightning in a bottle.... and sell it for twice as much.
We know why David Wain has hits on "My Damn Channel." We pay him and his production AND we leave him the hell alone. He's a writer, director, producer, actor who's spent enough time on both sides of the camera to know how to conjure up exactly what he wants to present on the screen. I've spent enough time on all sides of the game to know how to support this kind of talent well.
'Wainy Days' works because it's insanely funny. David's series is a cross between 'Dirty Seinfeld' and Woody Allen on acid. Guest stars have included Jonah Hill, Rashida Jones, Michael Ian Black, Zandy Hartig, A.D. Miles, Rob Corddry, Jessica Westfeldt, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Sudeikis, Ken Marino, Thomas Lennon, and Kerry Kenney-Silver.
Much respect and thanks to Producer Jon Stern; to my head of production, Paul Gallagher; to all at My Damn Channel; to Zandy + to everyone working on 'Wainy Days;' and especially to you Mr. Wain.....we owe you a whole lotta Krispy Kremes.